Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, walking into a political lions den, told the years largest gathering of social conservatives that he is not always the best example of faith but that their similarities are much greater than their differences.

Isnt it better that I tell you what I really believe instead of changing all my positions? Giuliani told an audience of 2,000 at the Family Research Council's Values Voters Summit at a Washington hotel. I believe trust is more important than 100 percent agreement.

The audience, generally hostile to Giuliani, recognized the shot at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and laughter and a few cheers spread across the room.

The former mayor, who left the stage grinning amid applause after his 40-minute speech, went for an authenticity contrast with Romney, substituting his law and order credentials for the family values emphasis of Romney, a long-married father of five.

Giuliani paid obeisance to the groups concerns by speaking at length about his support for school choice, home schooling, conservative judges and Israel.

All drew earnest  even enthusiastic  applause. He also gave a detailed plan for reducing abortions and increasing adoptions, the meatiest policy element of his speech.

It was the everything but approach  he could agree with the audience on almost everything except whether a woman should be able to choose an abortion, which he supports.

"You and I know Im not a perfect person, he said. I pray for forgiveness, I pray for strength.... I feel my faith deeply, although perhaps more privately than others, because of the way I was brought up. He said he had prayed to God at the toughest parts of his life.

During our lives, at some time, all of us need forgiveness, he added. If we expect perfection from our political leaders, were just asking for disappointment .... We lose trust when theyre not honest with us.... I dont always agree with myself. [Laughter] Youll always know where I stand.... I will continue to extend my hand to you. I hope youll take it.

Giuliani showed humor, noting that he almost entered seminary: I know thats hard to believe. Noting that he attended Catholic school, he said the first school he attended where a prayer wasnt said at the beginning of the day was the New York University School of Law.

He said that on the first day, out of confusion, he made the sign of the cross. I looked around and realized people were staring at me, he joked.

Giuliani pointed out that as New York mayor, he reduced murder, drugs, prostitution and other vices. "I don't believe in inevitable decline," he said, adding he shares President Ronald Reagan's belief in optimism.

"You put Republican ideas into action.... We got results. Humbly, I would say, the best results anyone in that time got in government."

"We drove pornography out of Times Square and other public spaces," he said, drawing hearty applause. "The pornographers lost and they were driven out of Times Square."

Instead of pandering to the group, Giuliani held his ground.

Weve got to find a way to be more inclusive, Giuliani said. Christianity is all about inclusiveness. Its built around the most profound act of love in human history, isnt it? Im running for president of the United States because I believe I can bring us together. Strong leadership can help us find common solutions to our problems.

Giuliani drew laughter by saying he spends as little time in Washington as possible: Im afraid theres something in the air here.

Im not going to pretend that I can be all things to all people, he declared. Im just not like that.

But he added, in another dig at Romney, Ill always be honest with you.... You will always know where I stand.

You have absolutely nothing to fear from me, Giuliani went on, adding that he was puzzled by those who make him out to be some kind of liberal activist: Just read any New York Times editorial when I was mayor of New York City. That got a big laugh.

Giuliani was speaking to one of the most conservative audiences in American politics. During a Christian worship service from the podium an hour before Giuliani spoke, leader Ron Freeman interspersed the praise hymn Blessed be the Name with the hopeful wish:

Weve got the right Senate and the Congress! The prayer included: Weve tried hard to make your agenda, our agenda.

I'm full of BS? I'm not the one that thinks Clinton will be a better choice as president than Giuliani. Tell me, how does sitting out the election or voting third party, thereby electing Hillary somehow help the conservative movement?

Principles are good, but you have to be realistic enough to know how to best achieve them. Politics is all about compromise.

163
posted on 10/20/2007 1:22:31 PM PDT
by scarface367
(The problem is we have yet to find a cure for stupid)

You have NO reason to vote for Rudy as opposed to any other candidate.

In the primary you may be right. I support Thompson in the primary, as his views are closer to mine than Giuliani's. But I will support Giuliani in the general if he is the nominee and will do everything possible to ensure he is elected.

170
posted on 10/20/2007 1:32:13 PM PDT
by scarface367
(The problem is we have yet to find a cure for stupid)

All the good things, the Republicans did and got NO credit for it. And look what he did:

Ginsburg and Breyer, Abortionist and Infanticide supporters that now cite Foreign Law.

Filegate, Hill's obstruction of Justice

FBIgate, Hill getting the dirt.

Whitewater, Crooked land deals

Vince Fostergate, What did he take to the grave?

WACO, mass murder of US citizens.

Bosnia, order US forces to fight on behalf of Muslims, under NATO.

China-gate, just what is it with the Klintons and the Red Chinese? Manchurian Candidate? How many secrets did Bill give them? Did he give them secrets that have compromised us irreperably? How much more will Hill give them? Mr Chu?

Israel, Klinton tried to give away the heart of Israel, stood on the White House Lawn and shook the bloody paw (Shai Ben Tekoa) of Yassir Arafat the Satanic Pedofile Terrorist.

North Korea, Bill gave KJI a Nuke facility with for a piece of paper. NK has Nukes thanks to Bill-Hill.

Osama, Could have got him but didnt. Instead chose Law Enforcement over National Security.

We are talking about the most corrupt, dangerous politcos in the history of the nation. No wonder Militia's were on the rise and ready to go!

I dont know if we really did survive the first Klinton! Maybe the timebomb he started just havent gone off yet! And some here are down with Hillary getting in? To do more of the same but likely worse?

Final question to all them, the question that would end my support is illegal immigration. If they fail that question and offer ther status quo. I am done with them all.

The Republican grassroots has jumped the shark on illegal immigration, wanting something that will never happen, and likely would be very damaging to the economy if it did. I'm talking "great depression" kind of damaging, if a rapidly shrinking population where illegals left the country were combined with the rapid aging of the baby boomers and their draw on Social Security.

The Democrat grassroots has jumped the shark on Iraq, wanting something that will probably not happen and would be very damaging to the country.

I hate losing. That is why I do not support Rudy in any way. If I want a socialist pig, I will vote for one who I know is a socialist pig, not with one who sympathizes with them, and isn’t quite sure what side he is on.

176
posted on 10/20/2007 1:36:00 PM PDT
by dforest
(Duncan Hunter is the best hope we have on both fronts.)

No matter who the GOP nominee is, he will be 100x better than what looms for this country should the Socialists take control.

You really should try looking past the R or D after a person's name by considering a candidate's political ideology. Guiliani is as much a socialist as Clinton. Blindly voting for someone based solely on party affiliation has caused the current split in the GOP. In the end you will still have a socialist in the White House

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